Everyone at South Pasadena High School is breathing a sigh of relief today as two students were arrested after it was discovered that they had planned to conduct a mass school shooting . Police Detectives received information about the plot from school officials. According to the police department’s news release, the two students were going to:
“kill 3 staff members and as many students as possible with firearms,”
Police detectives took the report seriously and served warrants to the homes of both suspected students. Upon searching the homes, enough evidence was found that linked the suspects to the potential school shooting , and each student was arrested. One of the boys went willingly with the officers and the other attempted to flee, although he was quickly apprehended.
Sgt. Brian Solinsky, of the Pasadena Police Department commended the staff of South Pasadena High School for reporting the potential school shooting.
“This is a prime example of school officials recognizing suspicious behavior. It was this information that helped prevent a horrific tragedy,”
Although the students were apprehended prior to the potential school shooting, many students tweeted their concern over the threats and thanked the police department for their fast response to the issue, especially with school starting on Thursday. The Staff at South Pasadena High School has ensured that psychologists and counselors will be present for students and staff to talk to, if the need arises. The Superintendent of the South Pasadena Unified School District also sent a letter home to parents and students to report the situation.
“The police have the situation under control and there is currently no threat to students or employees. The School Board and I appreciate the immediate response by the South Pasadena Police Department, and school will begin on as planned.”
School shooting s have become all too common in today’s society, and their occurrence has many students and staff looking over their shoulders at the sound of any loud noise. However, knowing that the staff and police worked together in a quick manner has left the South Pasadena High School with a sense of relief. Their teamwork shows everyone that Mass School Shootings can be prevented if suspicion is shared with the proper authorities, rather than ignoring the early warning signs. We can only hope the trend in School shootings can move toward reporting and catching the perpetrators prior to the heinous act, rather than stay the course we have experiences since Columbine.
[Photo Courtesy: KTLA 5 ]